Transport Mechanisms of Lead Industry Wastes
J. CHARLES JENNETT, Assistant Professor
B.G. WIXSON, Professor
E. BOLTER, Associate Professor
N. GALE, Associate Professor
University of Missouri — Rolla
Rolla, Missouri 65401
INTRODUCTION
Prior research on industrial wastes associated with the lead mining industry in S.E.
Missouri has been presented at past Purdue Industrial Waste Conferences (1,2). This
modern mining development known as the "Viburnum Trend" or "New Lead Belt" has
continued to maintain its position as the world's largest lead mining district by producing an
unprecedented 495,090 short tons of lead in 1972 (3). The development of these mineral
resources has been accompanied with a commitment on the part of the industry to control
their wastes and to protect the surrounding environment.
The "Viburnum Trend" is located in Southeastern Missouri approximately 70 miles
from St. Louis, Missouri, and is a region of rolling hills, forests, and numerous clear
running streams. The mining district is mostly within the confines of Clark National Forest
which is a major recreational area for fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor
activities. The study area which has been previously described in detail by Wixson, et al (4),
is shown in Figure 1.
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Figure I — The    "New     Lead    Belt"
of    Southeast     Missouri.
The hilly topography of the area has channeled the mining, milling, and smelter wastes
from each operation into separate stream systems so that the pollution effects can be
determined for the individual operations. This unique situation where an isolated natural
area has undergone rapid industrialization has provided an ideal laboratory for pollution
abatement investigations. Environmental studies have been conducted since 1967 and
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